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FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2014, file photo, Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer and linebacker Melvin Keihn (51) celebrate after they defeated Virginia 24-20 in an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va. It took a late touchdown ... more >

Virginia Tech never figured to be in such a vulnerable position after whipping Ohio State on the road in early September. The 35-21 upset remains the playoff-bound Buckeyes’ lone loss, and it turned out to be the highlight of an up-and-down season for the Hokies.

“It got pretty inconsistent after that,” junior quarterback Michael Brewer said. “We suffered some injuries, lost some timing as an overall unit, and it kind of snowballed. We kept trying to fight to get back to that level of play that we showed against Ohio State, and it just never really happened.”

The Hokies needed a 24-20 win over Virginia in the regular-season finale to even their record and get the opportunity to face the Bearcats (9-3).

“Six and six is not what any of us expected going into the season,” Beamer said. “But with the adversity we faced, with the injuries and things like that, a lot of tough, close losses, the chance to send our seniors out the right way … would be a great way to finish the season.”

Cincinnati took a different route to the Military Bowl. After successive losses to Ohio State, Memphis and Miami left the Bearcats with a 2-3 record, they won seven straight to earn a share of the American Athletic Conference championship.

“One thing that I can truthfully say is that we’ve gotten better as the year has gone on,” coach Tommy Tuberville said.

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